(January 2004)
In 1996, Reebok's basketball division was in need of a serious overhaul. The battles with Nike in the late '80 to mid 90's have left Rbk battered and bruised. The Pumps have become yesterday's news. Shaq started to dominate the league but could sell shoes as well as he could shoot free throws. The new DMX technology has yet to gain street cred for basketball and R&D at Rbk has been playing catch up to Nike rather than lead. Michael Jordan's comeback meant a renewed enthusiasm for basketball shoes as manufacturers scrambled for market share. Reebok was forced to do something drastic. They decided to bet its basketball future on a wide eyed youngster from Georgetown, a figure so diminutive at 5-10 most draft critics thought he was too small to play the 2 and shot too much to be a 1. Yet despite the size and age this was no kid. Allen Iverson had already been through way too much in his life to let a few critics stop him from his dreams. If he was special enough to let a disciplinarian like John Thompson smile and bend the rules, he sure was going to bend the rules when it comes to selling shoes as well.
The first time most people heard of AI, he was still in jail. Yet the college basketball world was already buzzing. Many that saw him play in high school thought he was a smaller version of MJ. Yet the most likeable characteristic of Iverson with his fans was that he was one of them – a troubled youth that grew up with nothing and refused to forget his roots. When Allen finally got out and played for Thompson's Nike-sponsored Hoyas, he adorned the white/black AJ XI's and played as if he was meant to fill the shoes all along.
Many thought at the time that Allen was a Nike guy, but when Rbk executives offered AI the chance for his own signature shoe, the deal was done. Allen Iverson would be the Answer and his first shoe would be the Question. Reebok was ready to for a new beginning and Iverson was ready to take them there.
The ice blue soles on the Questions are far more vibrant than the bluish tone found on the Air Jordan XI white/columbia.
The Question started its life borrowing some of its elements from the popular Air Jordan XI. The clear soles are an obvious rip. Overtime, however, the Question's clear soles became even better than the ones Nike made. Their fresh colors were much more vibrant in color and were less likely to turn yellow than their Nike counterparts. In other areas, the front contrast toe design resembled the XI's patent leather toes. The laces spelled out Reebok much like the way the sample XI's spelled out Jordan. Overall curves and lines are obvious reminders of the XI. But in the end, the Question equation was so successful; it was able to establish an identity of its own. Sometimes, perfection can indeed be achieved through imitation.
The curves and styling may have had its inspiration from the Air Jordan XI, but the Question was able to establish an identity of its own as Reebok's signature flagship.
The best part about the question is that it is immensely comfortable. The shoes have a wide-built interior and accommodated feet of all sizes and shapes.
The focus of the Question is definitely flagship luxury-oriented. The Hexalite cushioning, although more form over function, was a sweet design element. It gave Rbk something to compete with to the visible air pockets that were found on Nike Air shoes at the time. The cushioning is soft and pillow-like, yet still firm enough for performance. The upper areas of the shoe run high enough for standard ankle protection, but also soft and flexible for quick guards like Iverson. The workmanship and details suggested that the Question was an elite shoe for elite players.
Reebok honors Iverson's Rookie of the Year
campaign with this gold key chain.
Reebok also benefited from Iverson's success. AI quickly emerged himself as the Rookie of the Year and dazzled fans and opponents alike. His crossover dribble became his trademark and basketball youths from around the country began to imitate Iverson, much the same way they used to be like Mike. If you count in the corn rows and tattoos, Iverson was responsible for an entire cultural transformation as well. Ultimately, AI's cultural icon appeal gained him not only worldwide recognition, but also a lifetime shoe deal with Reebok. The decision was an easy one for both parties. Rbk basketball shoes were considered cool once again and one man alone was responsible for all of that. It is a mighty heavy burden for such a small shoulder to carry, but anyone that knows AI knows he burdens it with the size of his heart and not merely his physic.
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